You can run a marathon. NYC, not Boston.
You can also scuba dive. But no snorkling.
And you will do ballet. But no modern dance.
Anything else?
It will be hard for you, because your thyroid regulates A LOT of stuff. The hardest part will be finding a doc who is willing to adjust your meds according to how you feel, not what your tsh, t3, and t4 numbers are.
Since you are having yours removed, I would suggest you do some reading about Armour Thyroid. It is natural, as opposed to synthetic drugs like Synthroid or levothyroxine.
The biggest difference between the two is that they synthetics only have replacement t4 in them. Armour is made from pig thyroid (I know, gross), so it has the exact hormones that our thyroid produces. T3 is VERY important to energy levels, so if your doc puts you on a synthetic and you are not feeling like your old energy is coming back, give Armour a try.
A lot of docs do not like prescribing Armour, and prefer to go synthetic, so your doc might even say no to it. I have my reasons why I think that is, but it's not important right now.
Yes you can feel normal, no you don't have to weigh 300 lbs., (I am 5'10 and weigh 128), and I understand that you must be scared.
Here is a great site with other thyroid patients, many of whom who have had the same procedure. You can get a lot of answers on this site, plus talk to others about what to expect in your surgery, during recovery, and after.
Feel free to FReepmail me whenever you want. I have been going through this hormone craziness for two years, and I still have more tests to go, with more meds to take. Arggh.
No suggestions to help other than to bump this thread to the top and wish you a easy recovery from that which has ya worried.....
Stay safe
When I had my thyroid removed, I asked if I would be able to play the violin afterwards. When the doctor said yes, I said that was great 'cause I never could play the violin before.
Actually I have no idea but I hope a little humor helps you feel better - sounds like you'll be able to weather this without a problem, best of luck.
Best wishes and prayers for you as you go through this. I had radiation ablatement of my thyroid 20 years ago, am "normal" today, medically speaking. ;-D
Today it is considered a minor medical procedure. Best of luck to you and stop stressing.
You getting chemo and radiation or just radiation?
Did you live in Russia?
My uncle had his cancerous thyroid removed in his late 20's (he's 60 now). I don't know about running marathons, but I know that he has always been very active and is a long-distance road biker.
Interestingly, his thyroid cancer was only found at the time because his mother watched an episode of "Marcus Welby, M.D." that concerned thyroid cancer in people who had been treated with ionizing radiation as children. As my uncle had received such a treatment, she insisted that he visit the doctor to have his thyroid checked. It's a good thing that he did, because he did indeed have a thyroid cancer.
How did you make out with your thyroid issue?
I have been living with a nodule - hasn't changed at all-- for about a year. My doctor wants to do surgery and check it out. Biopsies have shown nothing.